Former Pakistan fast-bowler Mohammad Akram has revealed the initial reaction of South African batting great Hashim Amla, after he saw rookie batsman Haider Ali play for the first time in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season five.

Haider scored 239 runs in nine innings at an average of 29.87 and a strike-rate of 158.27, during PSL 5 while representing Peshawar Zalmi, and was one of the top performers in the tournament.

“When Hashim Amla saw Haider Ali playing for the first time he said ‘he is the one’ after he saw Haider smack a six as soon as he went out to bat. He also said that Peshawar Zalmi Haider should play Haider at his own position and not down the order,” said Akram while speaking on a local sports channel.

“Whereas seniors, due to experience, can adjust themselves as Haider is the future of Pakistan,” Akram quoted Amla as saying.

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The 19-year-old is making his debut in the third and final Twenty20 International (T20I) of the series against England at Old Trafford, Manchester.